French 75 Champagne Cocktail for New Year’s Eve

The French 75 Champagne Cocktail is an elegant cocktail with a history; perfect for any celebration but we especially love to serve them on New Year’s Eve.

Several years ago I yearned for something a bit unique for the New Year; something more than ‘just’ a glass of Champagne but not what has become my standard of simply adding Champagne to a liqueur either. I’ve done that a lot over many holiday seasons with the Cranberry liqueur I make. I love it but it was time for something new, something even more elegant.

This was it; the French 75. Named after the 75-MM M1897, a mainstay of the French field artillery in WWI, it was a potent little gun and this is a solid namesake…it’s a potent little drink! Known to have been a favorite of the Lost Generation including apparently Ernest Hemingway who, though known for his ability to partake with great gusto, was also known to secure a definite buzz with a French 75. There are variations to this drink including the use of cognac in lieu of gin and some pour it over ice in a Collins glass. I prefer mine shaken and poured straight up so that it doesn’t get diluted!

While this recipe calls for Champagne, truth be told I seldom buy the French bubbly…maybe that’s a sacrilege when making this French namesake cocktail but the price point can be a killer if I’m entertaining and I need something for a crowd. So for me it’s usually Prosecco from Italy or Cava from Spain or even a good sparkling wine from California. Today was a Cava sort of day and this Segura Vuidas Reserva Heredad was perfect.

Simple, beautiful and bubbly; the French 75 Champagne Cocktail is perfect to toast the New Year. So to everyone; I say Cheers and I’m wishing you a very safe and Happy New Year!!

Thank you Raquel; I won’t do it with champagne on a regular basis but with my favorite sparking beverage, Cava? Absolutely…I love champagne but cava is more reasonably priced and allows a special drink like this a bit more often.

I love that we did such similar drinks for NYE! This really is the perfect celebratory cocktail. And, of course, the history of the cocktail is great. I love that it’s named after a gun. 🙂 Happy new year! Hope that 2012 is fabulous for you.

I know right? I do believe that name and history are what first made it so appealing. It’s tough but doesn’t look it! Fun that we were on the same page and a good page it was. Wishing the same for you Lindsay!

Thanks Winnie and certainly Cheers to you…and who knows, this might be the year…I gotta get out of this place! I’ve been more and more mobile; the idea of traveling is still a lot to imagine but I can’t let this stupid leg and a cane keep me stuck forever can I? You’re always welcome out west too you know? 🙂 Happy New Year Winnie.

This is stunningly beautiful! A Champagne company needs to contact you to use it as an advertisement. I don’t drink anymore, but if I did…I would be all over this like a ….well, I would be all over it. 🙂 Happy New Year!

Your picture looks beautiful! And I love that you did a classic champagne cocktail for New Year’s Eve. I did that too. I’m not a big fan of gin, but the fact that it uses sugar and lemon juice and was a favorite of Hemingway, means I may have to give this drink a try.

Barbara – what delicious looking drop. Anything with a dash of gin wins my vote. And, of course, Hemingway really knew his booze didn’t he!
Many thanks for your friendship and support this year – I look forward to sharing more foodie experiences with you in the coming year.
Have a happy, safe and laughter-filled new year, with best wishes from sweltering South Australia! (Temp is forecast to go well over 100F in the next few days!)

Even though I suffered a bout of food poisoning this morning, and am currently nursing strawberry gatorade, somehow, I want a glass of this – this very moment. It looks lovely and elegant. Happy New Year to you! xo

It’s a surprising light combination; it’s a new favorite now too! And thank you…after spending 2 days making the cake I might have put some time into getting a decent photo. It’s not like I’m going to have a redo the next day!

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

KEEP IN TOUCH!

Creative Culinary is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.